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The Thai government has passed a draft law that aims to legalize gambling and casinos in the country.
The Thai government argued that legalizing casinos will boost revenue and tourism opportunities.
Thailand’s cabinet approved a draft law on Monday that would legalize gambling and casinos in the country. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that with this move the country is planning to boost tourism, jobs, and investment. Casinos and most forms of gambling are currently illegal in the country except for soccer betting and underground gaming activities.
As per the plan, the law will see that gambling takes place in large-scale entertainment complexes across Thailand. The law has been sent to the parliament for deliberation. Neighbouring countries like Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines have benefited from legal casino operations. The Thai government has argued that the absence of regulated casinos has led to a loss in revenue and tourism opportunities. They added how with the absence of casinos the country has turned its back on revenue opportunities and has missed the opportunity to create more jobs for the local people.
As reported by Reuters, Shinawatra said, “Legalisation will protect the public and also generate more state revenue.” She added how regulated gambling could be vital for the country’s economy as it would boost tourism and attract foreign tourists. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat believes this move could attract 5-10% more foreign tourists, generating an additional 120-220 billion baht (£3-£6.3 billion) in revenue and creating 9,000-15,000 new jobs.
This proposal, however, faces opposition from conservative groups in the Buddhist-majority nation. Despite this, the ruling party, backed by influential figures like former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is pushing for legalization. Thaksin, the billionaire father of current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has long been a vocal advocate for regulated gambling in Thailand.
